Especially fascinating is the different approach each of them take with respect to sdr design. Unlike many software defined radio software, all demodulation, modulation and filtering of the kx3 signals are handled by the kx3 itself. Operation time can be significantly extended by adding an optional thirdparty heat sink. Kx2 dual receive over 23khz 15khz on kx3 this is the part of the spec that is the most different. Add a software defined radio sdr to your transceiver to make a realtime panadapter a panadapter allows you to see all of the radio stations currently transmitting across an entire band. Elecraft kx3 vs flex 3000 to compare sdr transceiver. When working hf, this is very useful as it allows you to quickly home in on cq calls and other activity. Sdrplay win4k3suite for the elecraft k3 k3s kx3 and kx2. We thought that wed announce that the simple solution to most problems is to reinstall the sdr drivers with zadig. While hdsdr is an excellent piece of software i am more familiar with. A lot of my fun in ham radio is the tinkering with these software defined radios.
Flex radio sdr based ham radio transceivers perseus hf sdr receivers rf space hf sdr receivers quicksilver qs1r hf sdr receiver winradio hf and vhf uhf sdr receivers alinco hf and vhf uhf receivers with iq outputs elecraft kx3 hf transceiver with iq output coming this fall. New ham interested in sdr looking for advice qrz forums. I have so far tried three different programs, hdsdr, sdr radio, and sdr. Smartsdr for windows is the microsoft windows based graphical user interface gui software used with the flex 6000 signature series software defined radios. A flexradio systems flex6000 series radio an apple device such as an ipad, iphone or ipod touch which needs to run at least ios 11 a newer ipad air 2 or newer or iphone 7 or better is recommended network requirements.
Using any flex radio with your radio as a panadapter the tokyo hp comport can also be used with your radio and flex radios flex 1500 or any other flex radio as a panadapter and subreceiver. About elecraft kx3 and powersdr the resource is currently listed in in a single category. Instead of a pc the kx3 uses a pic18f87k22 8 bit pic microcontroller for control. N4py software is your source for high quality, effective rig control software for your transceiver. Although it has a 10 watt output, elecraft doesnt describe it as a qrp transceiver, maybe because of the kxpa100 amp option. Despite its small size, it covers all amateur bands from 1606 meters, operates in all modes, and has dspbased features usually found only on larger radios. I have been using sdr trx flex 3000elecraft kx3 and rx rfspace sdr iqelad fdms2 for some years now and then upgraded to the flex 6500, keeping the 3000 for fieldday and emmcom use, as it is conveniently sized. If you have an older amp, we now provide a update kit to add isolated usb to any hardrock50. The early foundations of sdr are used to briefly demonstrate the basics of sdr. The kx3 also has an iq output for an sdr, and i have a friend that runs his kx3 with a kpa500 that i sold to him, and he loves this combination. In comparison hdsdr uses omnirig cat interface which has more choices, including elecraft k3 that works well with kx3. The s meter comparion between the flex 6400m and the. The transmit virtual audio cable vac path has latency. To use the flex 1500 as a panadapter, several steps must be done.
I had to pay to ship it to elecraft and they split the cost for the return. Kx3 k3 remote control software nap3sdrfreeware download. After some fidling around, i have a configuration that works with the popular nap3 software and thought i would share the highlights in hope of saving you some effort. Since the kx3 is a softwaredefinedradio sdr, youll be able to extend its. I do like the form factor and knobs on the kx3 over the flex softwareonly interface. Software defined radio resources ham radio science. The tokyo hp comport can also be used with your radio and flex radios flex 1500 or any other flex radio as a panadapter and subreceiver. Flex 6400 flex 6600 flex 6700 maestro powergenius xl smart sdr. Introduction ultracompact homeportablemobile station the revolutionary elecraft kx3 puts the world in the palm of your hand. Sdr advances and the future of sdr by stephen hicks, n5ac, flexradio vp of engineering.
This link is listed in our web site directory since sunday feb 15 2015, and till today elecraft kx3 and powersdr has been followed for a total of 470 times. Part one september focused on the nomenclature and components of a functioning sdr system. Nov 09, 2016 will be released friday, november 11 2016. Cw skimmer simultaneously decodes all cw signals in the receiver pass band either 48, 96 or 192khz. N4py offers rig control software for a wide variety of receivers from the elecraft k3 to the ten tec rx 320 receiver. A list of ham radios supported by ham radio deluxe rig control software yaesu, icom, kenwood, elecraft, flexradio, alinco, tentec, and more.
My kx3 is not the same radio i bought in summer 2012 and it is a. I contacted them 1 week before the warranty expired and had an excellent experience with customer service. The spectrum display window is a window that takes advantage of cat spectrum output from certain radios. How do i get hdsdr software to work on a flex 1500. Optionally you can use an external bluetooth keyboard connected to. Dec 02, 2012 one of the advantages of the kx3 is sdr iq output, which can be used to drive a panadapter. Download the latest released version of dsp radio on website 2. Start hdsdr and select your soundcard, which is connected to the kx3 s iq output. Hdsdr former winradhd is an advanced version of winrad, written by alberto di bene. If you can figure out a way to get kx3 cat interface working also with powersdr please let me know. Since the kx3 is a software definedradio sdr, youll be able to extend its capabilities using computer applications, and add new features via free firmware upgrades. I am considering the ease and convenience of using a p3.
Software defined radio sdr version mrp40 ham radio. Since the kx3 outputs a standard iq signal, there are actually several packages one can use with it. Start hdsdr and select your soundcard, which is connected to the kx3s iq output. On this page we will attempt to list, categorize and provide a brief overview of each software program. Btw, elecraft kx3 fails the fixed level audio io test and tentec eagle fails the hardware serial test. Instructions for setting up cw skimmer with elecraft kx3. Imagine the feeling you will get from your first qso when you tell the other operator that you built it yourself. Get the latest sdr downloads for your flexradio signature series equipment. Quadrature switching mixer compatible with pcbased sdr software defined radio.
Using kx3 for wsjtx mode jt65 and jt9, kx3temperaturecompensation procedure. Install a virtual serial cable frequency control between sdr console and cw skimmer. Commander allows you to control your alinco, elecraft, flexradio, icom, jrc, kachina, kenwood, tentec, or yaesu radio from a pc running windows 95, 98, nt, 2000, xp, vista, 7, 8, or 10. Kx3 basic computer setup for panadapter and log k4mtx. It makes absolutely no sense for microham to provide software to support flex since the business of microham is selling hardware and flex. Technically the kx3 is already an sdr hardware components replaced by software through direct conversion receiver architectureso i think he meant to ask how use the kx3 s i q data in sdr applications as the elecraft manual calls them. That said a 100% sdr radio can be a joy and a pain since it is totally tied to a computer and the software being used. Basically this chip replaces the sound card which was used by the sdr. We categorize the programs into general purpose software, single purpose software, research software and software compatible with audio piping. Sdrs for amateur radio use the radioreference wiki. These sdrs are intended for use in the amateur radio ham bands. Elecraft kx3 and kx2 win4k3suite for the elecraft k3 k3s kx3. In september we began of our threepart primer on software defined radios sdrs.
Radi f6gnz has provided instructions how to use cw skimmer with other software. The image null degrades as you change bands and change frequencies. Sdrplay the sdrplay rsp is a low cost software defined radio that can be used as a panadapter for the k3, kx3 and kx2. However with the recent release of windows 10 some users have been having trouble using their rtl sdr after upgrading.
The latest version of zadig can be downloaded from zadig. Elecraft kx3 and kx2 win4k3suite for the elecraft k3 k3s. This is a good choice because its easy on the batteries, and that is one good thing, the kx3 doesnt sip much power on rx useful in case of hurricanes. To use the flex1500 as a panadapter, several steps must be done. Software defined radio for eginners by stephen hicks, n5ac, flexradio vp of engineering this introduction to software defined radio sdr explores the architectural and operational differences in traditional and software defined radios. Both the elecraft kx2 and kx3 will decrease power output after running ft8, for an extended period of time, to protect the finals from overheating. The kx3 companion in an app that will let the power use of your elecraft kx3 hf radio easier and lighter. Flex 6500 sdr transceiver and updated smartsdr for windows software 1 files 843 downloads. Plug in the audio cable from kx3 iq output to the pc soundcard line in 3.
But the kx3 is also the only compact transceiver that combines the flexibility of an sdr with a fullsize front panel and display, allowing operation with or without a computer. But flex has some pretty decent support behind their software and a large established community. Software definedradio sdr architecture for versatility kx3. Kx3 is an excellent qrp transceiver but it does not have all the same capabilities as flex3000. Without a doubt, the dominant name in the world of us ham. I replaced my icom 7800 with the flex 5000 and 2nd receiver. The purpose of this experiment was to demonstrate that kx3 receiver provides iq output that you can connect to powersdr. This setup is built around the current version powersdr version from flex radio. Ham radios supported by ham radio deluxe rig control. Oct 12, 20 sdr software for kx3 hi has anyone tried to hook up their kx3 via the iq output to sdr software.
Software defined radios have arrived, and flexradio is leading the charge. Wizkersradio chrome app that supports the kx3, kx2, kxpa100 and even the xg3. The ctx10 does not have this issue, however, as the ctx10 body itself is essentially a heat sink. Then in december, 2011 elecraft announced earlyordering for their new portable qrp sdr, the kx3. Typical applications are radio listening, ham radio, swl, radio astronomy, ndbhunting and spectrum analysis. Since powersdr was developed for flex radios that do no have knobs. One of the advantages of the kx3 is sdr iq output, which can be used to drive a panadapter. The kx3 sdr elecraft works very well together with nap3 sdr software and other remotecontrol software from n4py pegasusplus or remotecontrol from va2fsq, win4k3suite for k3 and kx3. I wanted to see how kx3 would work with my flex3000 powersdr setup. Win4k3suite with the elecraft kx2, kx3 and sdrplay youtube. The kx2 and kx3 versions also support the sdrplay for use as a panadapter. Apr 17, 20 kx3 basic computer setup for panadapter and log posted on april 17, 20 by monty the other day i had a request from mike, ve3wdm to create a post on my setup running the kx3 as an sdr. Flex in the sdr days created a routine that dynamically nulled out the image in the background in real time. Optionally you can use an external bluetooth keyboard connected to your android device.
Add a software defined radio sdr to your transceiver to. Win4k3suite, windows control program for k3, kx3, kpa500, kat500 and the p3 panadapter. The sdrplay rsp is a low cost software defined radio that can be used as a panadapter for the k3, kx3 and kx2. All files provided by flexradio have been scanned for viruses. The elecraft k3s, kx3, k2, tuners, and linear amp kits capture the excitement of building and operating your own fullfeatured hf systems. Plug in the kxusb cable and install the ftdi driver 2.
Elecraft frequency memory editor, works for k3, k3s, and kx3. While hdsdr is an excellent piece of software i am more familiar with powersdr as i have used it over 2 years. As of october 8th, 2016 this software supports cw skimmer from afreet software inc. Sitting in heathrow as am on my way back to the usa just now after ny speaking tour at friedrichshafen and the czech republic. In conclusion i wanted to test if i can make powersdr software to use elecraft kx3 as a receiver. Flex 1500, perseus, sdr radios from rf space, even the soft rock radios are being used with microwave frontendsand others that i have not listed here. The app supports splitscreen multitasking on the newer ipads so you can run smartsdr in split mode parallel to your browser, email software or any other app. Transceiver interfacing hobbypcb hardrock50 50w amplifier. Lane ve7ihl has provided instructions how to set up cw skimmer with the elecraft kx3 radio using its wideband iq output. Redefining the radio or, nine months with the flex 1500. This hybrid sdr approach leaves the digital signal processing to the engineers at elecraft, while providing a full featured spectrum scope like the p3 and full control of the radio. The main category is elecraft kx3 that is about elecraft kx3 resources. I have owned a flex 1500 before so i am familiar with powersdr and the.
Imagine the feeling you will get from your first qso when you. Win4k3suite supports the sdrplay as a panadapter with the elecraft k3, k3s, kx3 and kx2 providing a 1. Aug 06, 2015 the rtl sdr is fully compatible with windows 10. If you know of a program that is missing please leave. The kx3 s receiver chain has some variations from the k3 that make me think the kx3 might be a slightly better performer in an urban environment than a k3. Sdr software for kx3 hi has anyone tried to hook up their kx3 via the iq output to sdr software. Dec 25, 2012 simple elecraft kx3 and powersdr configuration i have played with hdsdr and elecraft kx3 for a while.
I spent last week in the czech republic setting up sdrs, giving talks, visiting contest stations and drinking a heck of a lot of suoerb beer. Flexradio may offer downloads from various thirdparty software vendors for your convenience. This eliminates potential ground loops the cause problems with the flex 1500 and other sdr s. I did have to send the kx3 back to elecraft last november for an exterior blemish some of the letters were flaking off. It will let you send and receive cw, psk31 and rtty by using your mobile phone or tablet keyboard. The czech were rather marvelous hosts who could do nough for both myself and fellow traveller ben n6muf.
To run this app at your home, nothing else but a regular wifi connection is needed that can access your flex6000. The kx3 in itself as a portabe transceiver actually does not require a computer to operate. Flexradio may offer downloads from various thirdparty software vendors for. I have been using sdr trx flex 3000elecraft kx3 and rx rfspace sdr iqelad fdms2for some years now and then upgraded to the flex 6500, keeping the 3000 for fieldday and emmcom use, as it is conveniently sized. Software defined radio resources how sdr radio works from w9oy blog commercial sdr radios flex radio sdr based ham radio transceivers perseus hf sdr receivers rf space hf sd. Discover the thrill of building and really understanding your own radio equipment. Software defined radio sdr version mrp40 sdr works with external sdr transceiver hardware that provides iqinput signal like softrock, kx3 or similar this program consists of the well known mrp40v64 plus a tuning front end for incoming iq signals mrp40 sdr also can transmit morse signals via i.
Or buy the kxpa100, px3, and design a slick docking station for your kx3 and end up with a really nice top notch station with a boat load of wires. Kx3 will connect to a pc it is not a full sdr radio my. There are now dozens of software defined radio packages that support the ultra cheap rtlsdr. Reduce the 120ms default latency setting on the flex sdr software vac1 tab to the minimum possible. Flex1500, perseus, sdr radios from rf space, even the soft rock radios are being used with microwave frontendsand others that i have not listed here. I have so far tried three different programs, hdsdr, sdr radio, and sdr sharp, and they are all the. This setup is built around the current version powersdr version from flex. There are now dozens of software defined radio packages that support the ultra cheap rtl sdr. The sdrplay rsp is a low cost software defined radio that can be used as a panadapter for. I set bandwidth to 500 hz for all bands and on 80 meters it was two s units lower and on other bands about one s unit lower, no prophet is accepted in his own country. It also supports displaying spectrum data from other programs via its udp interface.